Poignant Street Portraits Reveal People’s Greatest Regrets

What is your biggest regret? Romanian photographer Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi asked this question to strangers on the street and photographed their answers handwritten on signs, resulting in poignant portraits that reveal some of their deepest secrets.

While some subjects declared that they live with no regrets, others shared personal revelations ranging from confessions of alcoholism to remorse over not being there for a loved one’s last moments. Staring into the lens, baring their souls to the camera, the subjects not only display incredible courage by exposing their vulnerabilities, but also are given the chance to unburden themselves of the bundles of regret they’ve carried for so long.

“This question has given to me the chance to have a profound connection between me and the interlocutor, thus managing to get into their soul and bring out a grinding they have [had] for years,” the photographer shares. “I think that frequently when you share your thought with somebody, even if it is [a] strange person, you release the black stain which is on the soul and you can feel free.”

Above: “Not listening.”

“What I did last night.”

“I regret I do not have more time to play.”

“When I stole my sister’s money!”

“Because I focused more on ‘knowing’ rather than ‘feeling.'”

“Our biggest regret is that we didn’t move here many years ago. WE LOVE IT HERE.”